EXPLORING ECOWELLNESS IN COUNSELING
SYNOPSIS:
In this video, Dr. Ryan Reese, Associate Professor of Counseling and Division Head for the College of Education at OSU-Cascades, explores the groundbreaking concept of ecowellness within the counseling field.
Published October 20, 2025
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Developed in 2012, Dr. Reese's ecowellness framework stems from compelling evidence that the non-human natural world plays a pivotal role in enhancing human wellness. Traditional counseling models have often overlooked the impact of nature on individual well-being, a gap that ecowellness aims to fill.
Dr. Reese emphasizes the importance of intentionally and culturally responsively integrating the natural world into counseling assessment and intervention. He elaborates on the framework's development and practical application, making it a valuable tool for both students and practicing counselors.
Further insights are available in his recently published book, Natural Approaches to Optimal Wellness: Integrating EcoWellness into Counseling, released by Routledge in Summer 2025.
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